The effectiveness of a single osteointegrated implant combined with pendulum springs for molar distalization.

The aim of this report was to present the clinical efficiency of a single osteointegrated implant combined with pendulum springs for molar distalization. A 15-year-old girl sought treatment for irregular anterior teeth and poor smile esthetics. A novel appliance was designed that combined osteointegrated implants with 0.032-in beta-titanium wire and pendulum springs. The treatment results were evaluated from lateral cephalometric radiographs. Distalization of the maxillary first molars was achieved in 6 months. Total treatment time was 21 months. Facial esthetics improved as a consequence of treatment. This appliance design offers reliable molar distalization, even when absolute anchorage is required.

Osseointegrated implants with pendulum springs for maxillary molar distalization: a cephalometric study.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary molar distalization is a common treatment approach for patients with Class II malocclusions who do not require extractions. Despite the many advantages of pendulum appliances, the maxillary incisors and premolars tend to shift mesially as the maxillary molars move distally. The purpose of this study was to investigate anchorage loss in patients treated with palatal osseointegrated implants combined with pendulum springs. METHODS: Pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalometric films of 30 consecutively treated patients were examined. One group (n = 15) had been treated with conventional pendulum appliances, and the other group (n = 15) was treated with palatal osseointegrated implants combined with pendulum springs. RESULTS: In the pendulum group, significant distal tipping of the maxillary first molars and mesial tipping of the maxillary premolars were noted. Distalization of the maxillary first molars, mesialization of the maxillary first premolars, and proclination of the maxillary left central incisor were significant in the linear measurements. In the implant group, the distal tipping of the maxillary first molars and first premolars and the increases in SNGoGn, FMA, Na Me, and Na ANS were significant. Intergroup comparisons showed that changes in the maxillary first premolars, maxillary central incisors, and vertical measurements were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The use of palatal osseointegrated implants is reliable and provides absolute anchorage.

Bolton tooth size discrepancies in skeletal Class I individuals presenting with different dental angle classifications.

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and association of Bolton tooth size discrepancies with dental discrepancies. Forty-eight skeletal Class I, 60 Class II, and 44 Class III subjects with similar skeletal characteristics were included in this study. Analysis of variance was performed to compare the mean ratios of Bolton analysis as a function of the Angle classification and sex. To determine the prevalence of tooth size imbalances among the three groups of occlusions and the two sexes, chi-square tests were performed. To determine the correlation of tooth size imbalances with certain dental characteristics, Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated. No statistically significant differences were determined for the prevalence of tooth size discrepancies and the mean values of Bolton's anterior and overall ratios among the occlusal groups and sexes. Bolton's anterior ratio discrepancies had significant correlations with midline shifts (P < .05) in Angle Class I cases, with U1-SN angle (P < .01) in Angle Class II cases, and with L1-APog distance (P < .05) in Angle Class III cases. Bolton discrepancies related to overall ratio had significant correlations with overjet (P < .05) in Class I cases, with overbite (P < .05) and U1-SN angle (P < .01) in Class II cases, and with IMPA (P < .01) in Class III cases. A high prevalence of tooth size discrepancies in an orthodontic patient population and the statistically significant correlation of some of these with some dental characteristics suggest that the measurement of interarch tooth size ratios might be clinically beneficial for treatment outcomes.

Multidisciplinary treatment approach of Morquio syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA).

Morquio syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides in lysosomes because of the deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulphate sulphatase. Patients with Morquio syndrome often need orthodontic treatment. This study demonstrates the correction of malocclusion by orthodontic treatment and the improvement of the masticatory function by prosthodontic treatment in a male patient affected by Morquio syndrome. Labial inclinations of mandibular and maxillary anterior teeth were corrected, and spaces necessary for prosthodontic restorations were preserved. After this procedure, the restorations were made, and Hawley appliances were used in both jaws for retention. Patient satisfaction and an acceptable occlusal relationship were achieved by following an optimal treatment plan when considering the general status of the patient with Morquio syndrome.

Craniofacial development in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Unilateral cleft lip and palate is the most common cleft in humans. We investigated the craniofacial morphology of Turkish children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate who had operations to close the cleft lip when they were 3 months old and to close the palate at 12 months. They were not given orthopaedic or orthodontic treatment. We compared 42 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) with 45 control children without UCCLP at mean ages of 13 and 15 years. The children with UCCLP had considerable morphological deviations compared with the matched children without clefts. They had significantly shorter and more posteriorly positioned maxillas (p<0.01). There was also an increase in cranial base angle (p<0.05), mandibular plane and gonial angle (p<0.01). There was a reduction in the posterior facial height (p<0.05) and an increase in the anterior facial height (p<0.01). The profile of the soft tissue was more convex (p<0.001) and the upper lip was thinner than in the children in the control group (p<0.01), and their noses were relatively further backwards and downwards (p<0.01).

Acidic soft drinks effects on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets and a scanning electron microscopy evaluation of the enamel.

This study investigated the effects of acidic soft drinks on the resistance of metal brackets to shear forces in vitro and in vivo. Thirty noncarious maxillary premolar teeth, scheduled for extraction for orthodontic purposes, were used in the in vivo group. Thirty other noncarious maxillary premolar teeth, already extracted for orthodontic purposes, were used in the in vitro group. The teeth in both groups were divided equally in three subgroups, ie, the Coca-Cola, Sprite, and control subgroups. Brackets were bonded using conventional methods. Teeth in the in vivo group were rinsed with the acidic drink three times for five minutes daily and extracted after three months. Teeth in the in vitro group were kept in the acidic drink for five minutes on three equal time intervals within 24 hours. The brackets from both groups were subjected to shearing forces using a Universal test machine. After the shearing tests, a scanning electron microscope was used to determine the amount and the localization of erosion. The results indicated that both acidic soft drink subgroups had a reduced debonding resistance in vivo and in vitro compared with their control subgroups. No statistical difference in debonding resistance was found between the in vivo and in vitro groups. Areas of defect due to erosion were observed on the enamel surface around the brackets in both the in vitro and in vivo groups. Acidic soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and Sprite have a negative effect on bracket retention against shearing forces and enamel erosion.